Electrical socket



March 16', 1 926.

J. S. ELLIOTT ELECTRICAL :SOCKET Filed Oct. 28, 1922 Patented Mar. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. ELLIOTT, OF PROVIDENCE. RHODE ISLAND. ASSIGNOR T0 COTO-COIL COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRICAL SOCKET.

Application filed October 28, 1922. Serial No. 597,500.

ie it known that l. Jon): S. Euao'r'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at. lrovitkmce. in the county of Providence, State 'it lthodc' Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical ififltlitl'fi, of which the following is a spcciIi -ation.

This invention relates to electrical receptacles or sockets and consists in iu'iprovemeats in the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof.

One object of the in'iprovement is to provide a simple, compact socket structure which is staunch and durable in use. and capable of being, manufactured at, a minimum cost.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a socket having its contacts adapted for more secure engagement, with the tern'iinals of the bulb, tube, or other clec' trical device held therein.

Another object of thc imprt'iveinent is to provide a form of spring contact for the socket which is less liable to be bent or sprung out oi place or to lose its spring tension.

ulnother .-bject oi the in'ip ovement is to provide a construction of socket whic ll invariably Insure a proper inter-engagement between the contacts and terminals when the tube is appliedto place therein.

Further objects of the iu'ipro'verncnt are set forth in the following specification which.

describes a preferred embodiment of tbe inventluu as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. '1 is a general view in PCQSPOCUVB of mv improved socket;

FlQ. a vertical elevation of the socket with its base shown partlyin section, and also illustrating the vacuum tube held in the socket; a

Fig. I a perspective view or the base of the vacuum tube showing its terminal contacts; I w

Fig.4, an lllYOl'lt'tt, plan view ot the base of the socket. slmwing its spring contactlingers;

Fig. 5, a similar view showin the contactlingers in the first position 0 engagement with the terminals on the tube;

Fig. 6, a siniilanview illustrating the final or complete engagement of the contactfingers with the tube terminals; and

Fig. 7 a perspective view of one set or pair of the contact-fingers.

My improved socket as herein shown is intended for use particularly for heldim; vacuum tubes to connect them in circuit with radio apparatus. It will be obvious, however, that the structure and arrangement. of the socket is susceptible of modification within the scope of the present invention to adapt it to othcruses as an outlet for connecting various electrical devices with their circuits. i

As shown in Fig. 1 the socket comprises a base 2, whichmay be either rectangular or cylindrical in shape, and surmounting the base an annular flange or cup 3 for receiving the base of the tube or bulb 4, see Fig. 2. For the sake of convenience and econom in mai'mt'acture the base 2 is preferably constructed froni a strip or blank. of sheet-metal. which is pierced at the center and struck "up in suitable dies to form a cylindrical rim or collar 5 on the top. The ends of the strip are bent down at right angles to form the sides tof the rectangular base, the cooperating end-strips 7 providing a box-like structure shown in Fig. 4-. Preferably, the end-strips or tiller-pieces 7 are constructed of insulating material, such as fibre, hard rubber, or suitable composition, and are held in place between the metal side-pieccsfi by means of pins or rivets 8 driven through holes therein. The endpieces 7 being of dielectric material provide a convenient means for mounting the binding-p0sts and contact-elements ot' the socket as later described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the ring or cup 3 may be constructed from a short section at tubing of appropriate diameter, being received snugly within the collar or rim 5011 the base 2 to which it is secured by bailing, soldering or other suitable means. Fig. 3 illustrates the base of the vacuum tube t which is provided with a metal sleeve 9 adapted to fit within the ring, f3, and projecting from its side is the usual pin 10 Which} serves as a detent to secure the tube in place in the socket. As shown in Fig. 2 the pin 10 is adapted to be entered through a slot 15 in theside of the ring I) to effect a locking engagement. between the tube and socket somewhat similar to that of a bayonet joint. It is to be particularly noted that the slot 15 has a peculiar formation,

- for connecting the tube with the circuits of radio sets. The contact-pins or terminals 12 are adapted to be engaged by an equal number of contac -elements 20 arranged within the base of the socket in the manner as next describe Referring to Fig. 7, the contact-elements 20 are preferably con; structed from sheet-metal, such as brass or copper, cut into strips and bent at an acute angle to form a fiatsccuring piece 21 which is pierced with a hole 22. The opposite,

angular extension 23 0f .the strip is cut. away or slitted longitudinally at 24 to provide two opposites ring-arms 25 and 26. The outer ends of tie arms 25 and 26 are bent or curled around to form 0 posed concavities or sockets 27 and 28 whic are adapted to receive the terminal pins 12 on the base of the tube 1.

Referring to Fig. 4, the contact-members 20 are secured in place in the base 2 of the socket by means of their binding-posts 30 which extend through holes in the fiber or rubber end-pieces 7. The binding-posts 30 may consist simply of screws which are inserted throu h the holes 22 in the flat portions 21 of 111% I projected outwardly throu corresponding holes in the strips 7. Su' ble nuts 31 are screwed onto the outer ends of the screws 30 to draw their heads against the bent-over ends 21 of the contaw-members 20 whereby the latter will be clamped snugly against the inner faces of the end-strips 7. The usual. binder-nuts 33 are then placed on the ends of'the screws 30 for use in connecting the conductor wires to the binding-posts. It will be observed that the contact-elements 20 are thus held securely in place in the base ofthe socket and insulated from the metal thereof, while being electrically connected with their resp'e'ctive binding-posts. The inclined arms 25 and 26 of the contact-members 20 pro ect radially inward toward the center of the socket with their recessed ends disposed in spaced relation to adapt them to embrace the contact-terminals or pins 12 on thetube 4: when the pins are brought into engage .ment therewith in themanner as later explained.

The improved socket may be attached to its support by any suitable fasteningmeans. not herein shown, and when in use operates in the manner as next explainedi bulb back slightly with "shown in F 1g. 5. The tube 4 is next pushed e contact-membrane 20 and then amaese or vacuum tube 4 is applied to the socket by insertin its metal base 9 in the cup or rm 3 wh1 e entering the pin 10 on the side pf the tube in the slot 15 of the ring. As V the base of the tube is pushed into the socketl the pin 10 will bring up against the edge of v the lateral branch sl t 16 in the ring 3, at WhlCll juncture the terminal-pins 12 will be projected down into the base of the socketopposite the arms 25 of the contacbelements 20, but free from engagement therewith'as indicated in Fig. 4. The tube 4 is then turned or rotated slightly in the socketto carry'the pin 10 through the branch slot 16 until it reaches the axially-extending branch 17. This turning movement of the tube 4 carries the terminals 12 at its base across the top of the contact arms 26 and into engagement with the concaved ends 27 of the arms 25, while causing the latter to be sprung respect to the arms 26 as farther into the socket to carry the pinlO through the branch-slot 17, which movement brings the terminals 12 into opposite relation with the lower arms 26 of the contact elements 20, as shown in Fig. 2. The tube 4 is then rotated in a direction opposite to that first described to carry the pin to the end of the branch slot 18. This latter turning movement of the tube will carry the contacts into the depressions 28 on the arms 26 while bending the latter back slightly against their spring tension; the pressure on the upper arms 25 being released slightly so that they swing back to substantially first position as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 that the arms 25 and 26 of each contact-element 20 extend normally in diffcrent planes, being inclined withrespect to'each other so that their terminal sockets 27 and 28 are closed together, so to'spealr. This provides that when the contact-pins 12 are finally carriedinto position against both of the arms of each contact-element the arms will have a. firm pressure on the ins due to their inherent spring tension. ft is to be further observed that the lower arms 26 of the contact elements 20 are somewhat wider than the upper arms 25. This provides that the upper arms may yield easily when the tube 4 is rotated to release it from the lead wires from the difi'crent circuits connected thereto the several terminals of the tube 4 will be properly connected in circuit as required.

It will be observed from the foregoing deconstruction and arrangement will adapted. to engage 0i spring-arms with arranged axially forward of tho other com L *ription that my invention proviclcs a ticularly neat, simple and ii expensive socket which is staunch inconstruclion anicooscqucntly more (luroblein use than similar die employed for liko plu poscs. The improved arrangement, cl llic contoctelements of lhe socket provide "for a more secure and cllicient electrical connection bclweeolhc terminals of the tube and llic binding-pools, and lm-tlior insures a proper engagementof the contacts While preventing clisrumion of the connections under jar or vibration.

orious modifications may be macic in the ol. the clovicc without departing from the spirit, or scope of lhe invention, therefore,-

i'vitlmout limiting myself to the exact embodiment licrcin shown and described, I claim:

1., In on clcciical socket the combination Willi memos for receiving the base of a we: 1mm tube or the like on Willll are a plujraliiy of projecting terminals, of CODiIilCt-ElllEIBb-L%l$ provided with ooopei'oling springorms ozrangeti in oI'l sc-l; relalion and adapted to em gage at'cliflcrcnt ooinls on opposite sides of lilo terminals on o lobe, when the lfiijifil is mom-iced iolotlie socket and rotated in (ma direction 31ml then carried furl/lie? into the 2. In an electrical socket, llic combination with o receptacle holding on vacuum lobe or similar device having terminals, of comoci7-mcml7ers each comprising pair of spring-amiss arranged one coo-i e lilo other ishc 'opg z o ilc sides of a terminal when llllQ lube io inserted part way mto the socket and rotated first m cm:

direction and then carried farther into the, socket owl rotated in the oggposile oliircclion.

ll receptacle for cleclzi'icol devices oomprisinp; a socket for: receiving llaelmoc of a vacuum tube or the likc having piro lecliog terminals, and contact-members Within om socket consistio of pairs of spcingorms, with one of soif arms of each mic adopted to loo engaged by a terminal wlzcn the. illly is colored part way into the socket on'ol rotated Ojll its axis and tho other adapted lo be engaged by said terminal when the tube is carried farther into the socket and rotalecl in the opposite direction.

l. A device. of the class specified compmsing a cylindrical socket adapted to receive the base of a vacuum tube or other electrical device having plq'ecting tcrminolo, and conlaco-men ibers in' tile socket complisiog pains one arm of each. pailto adapl; it to lac first by om taco minal when the lobe is; oixterccl panic Way into tho socket and turned on its axis. the other arm: being-loco? engsgcd by lilo ire? miiml Whom like 'l'olae is mmoco a vacuum tube or @iii'lfil electrical.

of the ports device. lobe held llic socket and rotated in lilo opposilc (limo lion.

5. A (l:ViC of class specified com'orio ing a cylindrical socliot adopted to icceivo device hm inc; terminals projccling therefrom, one} conlaclnembcvs projecting into the soclaigt said. cootaco-mcmbci's comfg'ising chips oi? conducting-matcricl Pl'OllCllB pairs of cooperating spring-arms ca ranged one axially forwar" of 'lho olzlier to.

adapt them to be engaged by the terminals at dill'erenb points thccealong and on opposilo sides; lherco'f, when lilo who ioinsei'tc l part; Way into ills socket and rolsz'teoljn one direction and then carried foothill-"into line socket Illa rotated. in the opposite o (3 A i-eceplcclc for electrical devices com prising;- o soclcel; having; conlacla-icocolbols consisting .slzirips of conduc'i iogmalmiol which 3% slillccl ion ilu lioally lo form pairs of overlying cpri gowns projecting radially inlo ,iilie sockelz provirlccl ends siclcpled to receive Ti A receplaclc for elcclriccl clcvicco'coma, soclmt. contact-memlaei'o consisting pi'lfilllg of flat strips of concloctmgmalcrml arranged radially with i'cspecls :20 Elm axis of the socket, said strips: lacing slitlel loogitudimolly to form pairs of coopoi-ofcinw arms which oco incline-cl wilh respect to ooc other,

and with cool mm clog-el pigxir locoosd p o adopt axially in odvonccoilzootlgor arm i; said arms-E70 eogagc on pposilo sides of the tcrmimils of a vacuum tube when said who is inscrtccl into the s-oglzcl; wool rocatcd filsl in one. dircclioo than in the otlici in die manner and for the purpose soiisloolially as diesel-load,

.8. A receptacle foo eloelcicalclcvicos com prisingo cylindrical soclxel having 9. slol in its sidc formed Willi SlZIlfillyQXt@?S.CllX1g poi pin' on siflo of the" vacuum mm or olglic g in tho socket, and contacl-*' members compmsum' sawing-arms extending 0 n i w n A", I radially inwaro new it ie Elldifi of the social:

will wins 'zmaogcil in palm one claovo oil;

other so that when tho q woe is gochcolpioio inc socket and 1&3

pin cacriofi mrooglklzlio col slillecl loi'igimdinollyym one arm bcingoxiolly advanced in roialion to. tho obhor orm, $11M boll; arms 'sions at their free tho; terminals of the device entereclin so lilo with clepre foo-ac liol portions adaplc'tl to receive lhc cloleml" 

